On Being Married to a Musician.

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I bought him a Hohner Harmonica in G for his birthday with a harp-holder so that he could play it as he strums his guitar, just like Neil Young. He was thrilled with the gift, and I know this because the thing has barely left his lips since he got it. A few days ago I found him standing over the sink doing dishes and practicing “Heart of Gold” at the same time.

It dawns on me, even as I sneak off to the bathroom to escape the shrill tones of a song I can’t recognize, how lucky I am to be married to someone who is so unabashedly passionate about his art.

I am so often self-conscious about my work, afraid of revealing any underdeveloped idea, that I forget that the best way to really learn something is to play it till you know it in your bones, and take joy in the practice of creating.

  • http://www.gracebiskie.com/ Grace Sandra

    yeah, true, but it’s pretty scary to let go of those laurels. I hear ya though.

  • http://the-blank-page.blogspot.com/ Laura Mills

    “I want to shed my words like those leaves, unafraid of what I am losing, so to let my soil mature for spring. The right words will come back to me later, when I’ve grown up a little.” This is my favorite line. I’m revising a batch of short stories at the moment and this post really captures what I’m feeling. Thanks for another inspiring post. (This also got me in a fall mood, even though here in Houston it still feels like summer and the leaves haven’t even started changing yet. I need an excuse to drink apple cider!)

  • http://lovesubverts.com M. Joshua Cauller

    Love this sentiment. Great stuff.

    As a once-cold design major, I learned a ton about how to give powerful critical advice that moves others toward progress. Took a bit longer to realize that without feeling and relationship, that criticism was more like sword slashes than surgical cuts.

    As this is the first i’m reading your blog, I’ll subscribe. Maybe after a while, I’ll be able to encourage you. As for now, I’ll mostly just listen.

  • http://www.gritandglory.com/ Alece Ronzino

    oh bethany, i love this. each of your words feels perfectly laden with purpose and significance and beauty.

    i want to be that tree, “exuberant in the losing, brilliant with abandon”…

  • http://www.eloranicole.com/ elora nicole ramirez

    good night, bethany. this is beautiful.

  • http://chasemymuse.com/ Anokina Shahbaz

    Beautiful message Bethany… you said so much in such a little post. I crave that abandon too… in my writing, and my life. Happy Autumn to you.